Richard Ducommun (July 3, 1952 – June 12, 2015) was a Canadian actor known for his supporting turns in various films, most prominently ''

Die Hard ''Die Hard'' is a 1988 American action film directed by John McTiernan and written by Jeb Stuart (writer), Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza, based on the 1979 novel ''Nothing Lasts Forever (Thorp novel), Nothing Lasts Forever'' by Roderick ...

'' (1988) and ''

Groundhog Day Groundhog Day (, , , ; Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia: Daks Day) is a tradition observed regionally in the United States and Canada on February 2 of every year. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if ...

'' (1993).

Career

One of his earliest television appearances was on ''

Star Search ''Star Search'' (later known as ''Ed McMahon's Star Search'') is an American television show that was produced by T.P.E./ Rysher Entertainment from 1983 to 1995, hosted by Ed McMahon, and created by Al Masini. A relaunch was produced by 29 ...

'' and as a technician accosted by a scantily clad dancer near the end of the music video for O'Bryan's song "Lovelite", both in 1984. He finished second in the comedy category behind

Brad Garrett Brad H. Gerstenfeld (born April 14, 1960), known professionally as Brad Garrett, is an American actor and stand-up comedian. Garrett was initially successful as a stand-up comedian in the early 1980s. Taking advantage of that success in the la ...

. His credits include Bart (half of Biff and Bart) in the Canadian children's TV series '' Zig Zag'', Rick Dukeman in the music video show '' Rock 'N' America'',

Tom Hanks Thomas Jeffrey Hanks (born July 9, 1956) is an American actor and filmmaker. Known for both his comedic and dramatic roles, he is one of the most popular and recognizable film stars worldwide, and is regarded as an American cultural icon. Ha ...

' neighbor Art Weingartner in ''

The 'Burbs ''The 'Burbs'' is a 1989 American black comedy film directed by Joe Dante and written by Dana Olsen. It stars Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher, Rick Ducommun, Corey Feldman, Wendy Schaal, Henry Gibson, and Gale Gordon. The film pok ...

'' (1989), the villainous monster "Snik" in the

Fred Savage Frederick Aaron Savage (born July 9, 1976) is an American actor and director. He is best known for his role as Kevin Arnold in the American television series ''The Wonder Years'' (1988–1993). He has earned several awards and nominations, su ...

fantasy '' Little Monsters'' (1989), a barfly in the

Bill Murray William James Murray (born September 21, 1950) is an American actor and comedian, known for his deadpan delivery in roles ranging from studio comedies to independent dramas. He has received List of awards and nominations received by Bill Murra ...

comedy ''

'' (1993), and Henry the chauffeur in '' Blank Check'' (1994). Ducommun acted in other films, such as '' No Small Affair'' (1984), '' A Fine Mess'' (1986), ''

Spaceballs ''Spaceballs'' is a 1987 American space opera parody film co-written, produced and directed by Mel Brooks. It primarily parodies the original ''Star Wars'' trilogy, but also other popular franchises such as ''Star Trek'', '' Alien'', '' The Wi ...

'' (1987), ''

'' (1988), '' The Experts'' (1989), ''

The Hunt for Red October ''The Hunt for Red October'' is the debut novel by American author Tom Clancy, first published on October 1, 1984, by the Naval Institute Press. It depicts Soviet submarine captain Marko Ramius as he seemingly goes rogue with his country's cutt ...

'' (1990), '' Gremlins 2: The New Batch'' (1990), '' The Last Boy Scout'' (1991), '' Class Act'' (1992), ''

Encino Man ''Encino Man'' (also known as ''California Man'' in several territories) is a 1992 American comedy film directed by Les Mayfield in his directorial debut This is a list of film directorial debuts in chronological order. The films and dates ...

'' (1992), ''

Last Action Hero ''Last Action Hero'' is a 1993 American fantasy action comedy film directed and produced by John McTiernan and co-written by Shane Black and David Arnott. It is a satire of the action genre and associated clichés, containing several parodies ...

'' (1993), ''

Jury Duty Jury duty or jury service is a Civil service, service as a juror in a legal proceeding. Different countries have different approaches to juries: variations include the kinds of cases tried before a jury, how many jurors hear a trial, and whether th ...

'' (1995), ''

Scary Movie ''Scary Movie'' is a 2000 American parody film directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans and written by Marlon Wayans, Marlon and Shawn Wayans (who both also star), alongside Buddy Johnson, Phil Beauman, Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer. Starring Jon ...

'' (2000) and '' MVP: Most Valuable Primate'' (2000). He was also the co-owner of Skull Skates with his brother Peter in Saskatchewan, Canada and they were early pioneers in skateboarding. Rick started skating in the mid-1960s, with Peter joining him in the early 1970s. They were Canadian trailblazers at the forefront of the sport's evolution. Rick began with an iron-on t-shirt company and made frequent trips to California, the epicenter of skateboarding. He would bring back the latest skate gear for Peter and their friends. Eventually, the demand for these California items grew so large that they decided to open their own shop. Ducommun died in June 2015 of complications from

diabetes Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a group of common endocrine diseases characterized by sustained high blood sugar levels. Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough of the hormone insulin, or the cells of th ...

. He was 62.

Filmography

*'' Rock 'N' America'' (1984) – Host *'' No Small Affair'' (1984) – Groom *'' A Fine Mess'' (1986) – Wardell *''

'' (1987) – Prison Guard *''

'' (1988) – Walt, City Worker *'' The Experts'' (1989) – Sparks *''

'' (1989) – Art Weingartner *'' Little Monsters'' (1989) – Snik *''

'' (1990) – Navigator C-2A *'' The Earth Day Special'' (1990) – Hospital Security Guard *'' Gremlins 2: The New Batch'' (1990) – Clamp Center Security Guard *'' The Last Boy Scout'' (1991) – Pool Owner *''

'' (1992) – Mr. Brush *'' Class Act'' (1992) – Parole Officer Reichert *'' Loaded Weapon 1'' (1993) – District Attorney *''

'' (1993) – Gus *''

'' (1993) – Tom Noonan's Agent *''

Ghost in the Machine The "ghost in the machine" is a term originally used to describe and critique the concept of the mind existing alongside and separate from the body. In more recent times, the term has several uses, including the concept that the intellectual part ...

'' (1993) – Phil Stewart *'' Blank Check'' (1994) – Henry *''

'' (1995) – The Real Frank (uncredited) *''

Dogmatic Dogma, in its broadest sense, is any belief held definitively and without the possibility of reform. It may be in the form of an official system of principles or doctrines of a religion, such as Judaism, Catholic Church, Roman Catholicism, Protes ...

'' (1999) – George *'' Final Voyage'' (1999) – Jasper *''

'' (2000) – Neil Campbell *'' Ready to Run'' (2000) – Cyclone (voice) *'' MVP: Most Valuable Primate'' (2000) – Coach Marlowe *'' Harvard Man'' (2001) – Police Officer Martino (uncredited) *'' Like Mike'' (2002) – Dad Outside Arena *'' Pauly Shore Is Dead'' (2003) – Mitch Rosenberg *''Back by Midnight'' (2004) – Wilson *'' Funky Monkey'' (2004) – Father Rick (final film role)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Ducommun, Rick 1952 births 2015 deaths 20th-century Canadian male actors 20th-century Canadian comedians 21st-century Canadian male actors 21st-century Canadian comedians Canadian male comedians Canadian male film actors Canadian male television actors Canadian male voice actors Male actors from Saskatchewan Deaths from diabetes in Canada Canadian stand-up comedians Comedians from Saskatchewan